Historic Salford pub, The Black Friar, has announced the return of its much-loved Pie Festival for January 2025, serving up the best pies in the city for just £10.
Celebrating the winter season with hearty, homemade proper-northern pies, the festival offers a range of fillings for everyone to enjoy – a true slice of pie-fection. The menu launches on Monday, 6th January and runs until the end of February.
As usual there’s something special for canine companions too! The Black Friar is bringing back their doggy pies, so anyone dining or drinking in the pub with pups can share the experience with their four-legged friends.
For those looking to share the joy, the Pie Festival will feature super-sized sharing pies designed for up to four people and available from £65. These colossal creations come with a choice of Chicken and Pancetta, Veggie Curry or the super special Lamb Shank.
This year’s menu includes two fixed pies, consisting of Creamy Chicken Pie and Veggie Curry Pie, alongside a host of daily ever-changing specials all deliciously crafted by Chef Ben Chaplin. Expect the return of popular limited-edition pies such as the Lobster Pie and Lamb Shank Pie, plus new specials including the Lasagna Pie.
In addition this year The Black Friar will also be serving a selection of mouth watering dessert pies including a gooey and sweet Pecan Pie and a delicious Mississippi Mud Pie.
The now annual Pie Festival was introduced in 2022 following national food critic Jay Rayner’s glowing review of Chef Ben Chaplin’s homemade pies, hailing them as “pies done proper”. The festival cements The Black Friar as the home of pies, serving up generously filled, daily specials alongside beloved menu signatures.
£10 pies will be available all day every Monday and Tuesday, and 12-6:30pm between Wednesday-Friday. Diners can also add greens and mash or chips for just £3. And it’s not just pies on offer – the Black Friar’s famous Pub Grub new menu will return, with a range of winter pub classics with a Friar twist on offer.
Neil Burke, Owner of The Black Friar, said: “We’re so excited to be kicking off our fourth year of the Pie Festival – it’s become a real favourite, and we can completely see why. Hearty, warm and proper-northern £10 pies seems to be just what the doctor ordered to get through the cold and miserable winter months. I also think Ben’s specials are going to be extra special this year… I can’t wait to see you in there!”
The grade II listed pub dates back over 200 years, and was originally known as the School Inn, but burned down. It was renamed the Black Friar when it was rebuilt in 1886. It was open continuously from then until 2001, when it burned down a second time. The building has since been refurbed to include a huge award-winning beer garden and outdoor tavern, cosy pub and grand glass room.
The Black Friar is located on Blackfriars Road, just a 10 minute walk from Deansgate. To book a table for the Pie Festival, head over to The Black Friars website at https://www.
